Cars

The letter from C Gooch in this issue, certainly offers plenty of food for thought with regard to the future of diesel motoring in the UK. BMW has been responsible for some simply superb diesel-powered models over the years, and continues to produce them. Earlier this summer I spent a very enjoyable couple of weeks with a BMW 435d Gran Coupé xDrive, which reaffirmed to me just how impressive these machines have become. With refinement, superb driving dynamics, power a-plenty and astonishing economy, the experience left me wondering why you’d want any other sort of car?

Old faithful buying guide. If you’re looking for a dependable, capable and enjoyable family car offering safe, luxurious motoring for all occasions then, as Chris Graham discovers, the E70 X5 has got to be a serious contender.

Heavy Hitter 713whp BMW F85 X5 M. With over 700whp, this insanely intimidating BMW X5 M is a 2.4-tonne Tarmac terror. Words and photos: Matt Petrie.

Stunning classic beauty. This Cypress green survivor was rescued from the Vermont woods by an eager enthusiast, keen to re-frame its genteel past life in a modern context… Cypress Thrill Air-ride E23 735i. Words: Daniel Bevis. Photos: Jonathan DeHate.

Buyer's file Buy the best Lexus IS200 XE10 you can and why it beats a 3 Series. Expert buying advice to help you choose your perfect car 1999-2005 Lexus IS200 When it comes to rear-drive compact execs with six-cylinder power, the first-gen IS200 offers a tempting German alternative.

Maserati Ghibli - what you need to know about investing in a top end classic. Collectors’ Guide. One of the all-time great supercar designs, the Ghibli’s alluring presence has made it a hit with collectors. But how good is it to drive, and what are its value prospects? Story: Andy Heywood. Images: Michael Ward.

Classic lines long-term transformation. In 1992, Australian Keith Olsen bought a tired 3.0Si which, since then, has undergone a full restoration and sensitive modification, on an Alpina theme, as Chris Nicholls discovers. Beautiful BMW E3 3.0Si gets the Alpina treatment.

8 steps to buying the best Riley One-Point-Five… With its Wolseley 1500 sibling this may be the most fun way to spend £1500-£7000. Words Malcolm Mckay. Photography John Colley.

Crash-test wreck made perfect. Epic Restorations 1989 Jaguar XJ220 Based on Jaguar Sport’s crash test dummy, this project was a real jigsaw. ‘We had to turn the shell upside down to replace the floor’. This Jaguar XJ220 was the MIRA crash-test car. Don Law Racing put it back together again… and gave it 800bhp. Words Russ Smith. Photography Jonathan Jacob.

Buyer’s guide to Porsche’s affordable gem, the Boxster 986. The Boxer-roadster is now highly affordable but complex, so choose carefully advises Malcolm McKay. Photography Tony Baker.

Lancia Thema 8.32 Luxurious, subtle and Ferrari-engined. Form a queue here. Lancia Thema 8.32 guide.

If it ain’t broke… Matt Robinson samples the updated BMW M240i, and is left wondering who still thinks they absolutely must have an M2?